Locking preset knob for fishing reel

ABSTRACT

A locking preset mechanism for a fishing reel is provided by interlocking serrations in the preset knob face and the mating face of an axially moveable force transmitting means in the mechanism. In free spool, the knob can be rotated. In drag, the knob is locked against rotation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to fishing reels and, in particular, to amechanism for locking the preset knob which controls the drag mechanismof the reel.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In the prior art, it is common to have drag mechanisms on fishing reels.One type of reel is known as a lever drag reel. In a conventional leverdrag reel, a lever is used to vary the amount of drag force on thespool. There is usually a stop called “strike”, another stop called“full”, and a final stop called “free”. At the free stop, the spool isin “free spool”, or in other words, there is no drag on the spool. Atthe “strike” stop, the reel is providing a drag of approximately ⅓ thebreaking strength of the line. At the “full” stop, the reel provides adrag of approximately ½ the breaking strength of the line.

Most reels are designed to be fished with various weight lines. Thussome method of adjustment is needed to vary the drag values at the“strike” and “full” positions. This is done through a preset adjustmentsystem. All conventional lever drag reels have a preset adjustmentsystem; which usually includes a set of threaded members.

It is very important that the preset doesn't change unless the userwishes it to. Vibration, mishandling and simply operation of the reelcan knock the preset out of adjustment. Thus a locking preset isdesirable.

In the prior art, there are many systems that lock the preset knob toprevent its rotation. All of these designs require some manipulation ofthe reel, such as pushing a button and turning a knob, to adjust thepreset. This can be difficult to accomplish on a moving boat with wetand slimy hands. My design avoids these problems.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,863,007 describes a drag mechanism for a spinning reel.The locking preset mechanism is not a drag mechanism, but a means toprevent the accidental rotation of the preset knob during use of thereel.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,219,131 shows an electronic drag monitoring system. Inthe section view FIG. 1, a cam member “C” is shown. This member isnothing more than a cam or follower that is used in any conventionallever drag reel.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,184,179 uses a standard thumbnut to adjust the preset,as described in column 4, line 25-35. This patent discloses a basiclever drag reel design.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,871,129 is an alternative lever drag design. It has noprovisions for preventing the preset knob from rotating accidentallywhile the reel is in use.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,826 shows yet another lever drag fishing reeldesign. This reel uses a rubber o-ring (not called out, between items 30and 32 in FIG. 1) to retard the rotation of the preset knob. It does notpreclude the rotation of the preset knob when the reel is in use, nordoes it allow easy adjustment of the knob when the drag lever is in thefree spool position. This is due to the friction between the rubbero-ring and the preset knob.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,601,245 shows yet another lever drag reel design. Thisdesign uses a lever rather than a knob to adjust preset. As such, itmakes no provision to prevent movement of the preset lever under drag;other than the friction between the various members. The same applies toU.S. Pat. No. 4,516,741.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,560,562 shows an unusual lever drag reel. This reel hasno preset adjustment. It uses a threaded pair in place of a cam andfollower. Since it has no preset system, it has no provisions for alocking preset system.

The reel pictured in U.S. Pat. No. 5,297,756 uses the same preset knobmechanism as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,826. The same comments apply.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To eliminate the accidental loosening of the preset knob, I haveprovided a mechanism for locking the preset knob while the reel is in adrag producing state and permitting the easy rotation of the preset knobwhen the reel is in the free spool condition.

More particularly, I provide in a fishing reel having a drag mechanismcapable of being moved to a drag condition and to a free spoolcondition, and having the force exerted by said drag mechanism pre-setby turning a knob, the improvement comprising a locking means to preventsaid knob from accidentally turning during use of said reel, saidlocking means comprising a radial surface on said knob; a transmittingmeans juxtaposed to said knob and having a radial surface in opposedrelation to the radial surface on said knob; and said radial surfaceshaving serrations thereon such that when said serrations are engaged andwhen the drag lever is moved to said free spool condition, said knob canbe easily rotated, or when said reel is in a drag producing condition,said knob is in a locked non-rotating condition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an expanded perspective view of portions of a fishing reelshowing a mechanism in accordance with my invention; and

FIG. 2 is a section of a fishing reel also showing the parts in FIG. 1,assembled.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the Figures, the preset of the drag is accomplished whenthe drag lever (20) is at the free spool position. The drag lever (20)is keyed to the cam (13). In my design, there is a transmitting member(41) that is keyed to the right side plate (10) of the reel to preventrotation, while being allowed to move axially. This member transmits theaxial motion of the cam to the preset knob (14). This transmittingmember (41) has a series of serrations on the surface that contactmating set of serrations on the preset knob (14).

The preset knob (14) and the transmitting member (41) are kept incontact with one another either by the Belleville springs (27 FIG. 2),or the drag member separation spring (19 FIG. 2), depending on theposition of the drag lever (20).

When the drag lever (20) is in the free spool condition, the Bellevillesprings (27) are exerting no force in the reel. Only the drag memberseparation spring (19) is exerting any axial force. This spring keepsthe serrated surfaces of the preset knob (14) and the transmittingmember (41) in contact, but its axial force is much lighter than that ofthe Belleville springs (27). The serrations combined with the lightaxial force of the drag member separation spring (19) provide slightresistance to rotation of the preset knob (14). When the user turns thepreset knob (14), this axial force is overcome by the camming action ofthe mating serrations on the preset knob (14) and the transmittingmember (41). The serrations will ride up and over one another, thusallowing rotation of the knob.

When the drag lever (20) is in any other position (other than freespool), the bulk of the axial forces in the reel are created by theBelleville springs (27). These axial forces are much greater than thosecaused by the drag member separation spring (19). If the user tries toturn the preset knob (14), the cam action of the serrations will notprovide enough mechanical advantage for the user to overcome the axialforce of the Belleville springs (27) and thus the serrations will not beable to ride up and over one another. The preset knob (14) is now“locked” and thus prevents accidental rotation.

Thus, it can be seen that the locking of the preset knob is automatic.When the drag lever is moved to the free spool position, the preset knobis automatically unlocked and free to be rotated. When the drag lever ismoved out ofthe free spool position, the preset knob is automaticallylocked and further rotation of the knob is prevented.

What is claimed is:
 1. In a fishing reel having a drag mechanism capableof being moved to a drag condition and to a free spool condition, andhaving the force exerted by said drag mechanism pre-set by turning aknob, the improvement comprising: a locking means to prevent said knobfrom accidentally turning during use of said reel, said locking meanscomprising: a radial surface on said knob; a transmitting meansjuxtaposed to said knob and having a radial surface in opposed relationto the radial surface on said knob; and said radial surfaces havingserrations thereon such that when said serrations are engaged and whenthe drag lever is moved to said free spool condition, said knob can beeasily rotated, or when said reel is in a drag producing condition, saidknob is in a locked non-rotating condition.
 2. The reel of claim 1,wherein said reel further comprises at least two spring means capable ofapplying different axial forces to said transmitting means to force saidtransmitting means into engagement with said knob.
 3. The reel of claim2 wherein the axial force exerted by one of said spring means when saidreel is in said free spool condition is such that the serrations aremaintained in contact with one another, while permitting rotation ofsaid knob.
 4. The reel of claim 2 wherein the axial force exerted by theother of said spring means when said reel is in said drag condition issuch that the serrations are maintained in contact with one another,while preventing rotation of said knob.